Canary Islands – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Regions[ edit ] The following islands make up the Canary chain: Gran Canaria — The largest island by population, its capital city (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) has the shared title of capital of the Canaries. Green and steep in the north, dry and flat in the south. Fuerteventura — good for windsurfing Lanzarote — Low lying and arid, with a spectacular volcanic landscape in the west of the island (National Park of Timanfaya). The capital is Arrecife and has its own airport (ACE code). Lanzarote is also of volcanic origin. The island, along with others, emerged after the breakup of the African and the American continental plates. The greatest recorded eruptions occurred between 1730 and 1736. This area is preserved as the Timanfaya National Park. Tenerife — The island of Tenerife has many museums and monuments that serve as portrayals of its rich history. As the largest island of the seven, its oldest mountain ranges are young compared to its neighboring islands.

Volcanic activity did not begin to occur here until eight to twelve million years ago, while other islands had it well over 20 million years ago. The highest mountain of Spain, El Teide. 3rd largest volcano in the world in extension (Volcano 3718 meters high). The Capital city is Santa Cruz de Tenerife , home to the Canary Island Parliament. The title of capital city is shared with San Cristóbal de La Laguna. With a population of 899,833 people, it is the most populated island. Another popular city on the island is San Cristobal de La Laguna. Here you can find the oldest university in the Canary Islands. La Gomera — The Magic Isle - walker's paradise. It is shaped like an orange that has been cut in half and split into segments. The terrain is rough, which has left deep ravines or barrancos between them. These barrancos, in turn, are covered by the laurisilva ((laurel rain forest)). It is home to the only remaining Laurisilva rain forest in northern Africa.

The local wine has a distinct taste, and is often accompanied with a tapa (snack) of local cheese, roasted pork or goat meat. Other cultural dishes include almogrote, a cheese spread, and a syrup extracted from palm trees called miel de palma. The local people have a unique way of communicating across deep ravines by using a whistled speech called Silbo Gomero. This whistled language is indigenous to the island, and its existence has been documented since Roman times. La Palma — The total population is about 86,000, of which 18,000 (2003 data) live in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma and about 20,000 (2004 data) in Los Llanos de Aridane. La Palma's geographic layout is a result of the volcanic formation of the island. The southern part of La Palma is dominated by the Cumbre Vieja, a volcanic ridge formed by numerous volcanic cones built of lava and scoria.

The Cumbre Vieja is active but dormant, with the last eruption occurring in 1971 at the Teneguia vent, located at the southern end of the Cumbre Vieja. El Hierro — 'The edge of the world'. It is also known as the Meridian Island. Cities[ edit ] Las Palmas — the largest city, situated on Gran Canaria and one of the capitals of the Canary Islands Santa Cruz de Tenerife — another capital of the Canary Islands, situated on Tenerife Demographics[ edit ] The islands have a population of 2 million. Since the Canary Islands are a major European tourist destination, all the major islands have well-developed communication systems, airports, and ports. Ethnically the population is mostly a mix of Spanish, European (German and British), South American, and especially Cuban and Venezuelan as well as Northern and Sub-Sahara African. There are also historical minorities such as Indians, Koreans and lately Russians. Pico del Teide (on Tenerife) at 3718 metres above sea level is the highest point in both the Canary Islands and Spanish territory.

Each island speaks with a slightly different accent and there is a strong rivalry between the main islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Most of the accents in the Canary Islands are closer to Latin American Spanish than to Castililan Spanish spoken in continental Spain. The Canary Islands are very modern, very European, and extremely liberal. History[ edit ] Ancient legend claims the Canary Islands are the ‘lost islands’ of Atlantis. They have also been referred to as the lands without sorrow, holding on to the edge of the world. The first settlers were from North Africa. Known as Phoenicians, they arrived in the 10th century B.C. The main economic system was built around agriculture and animal farming. During the 14th century, the Islands were continuously invaded by different European countries. By plane[ edit ] The Canaries is a popular destination with Europeans, and swarms of charter and discount flights descend on the island year round. The two airports (North/TFN & South/TFS) on Tenerife and the Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) are the busiest, but it's also possible to fly to many of the other islands, albeit it's often more expensive.

By train[ edit ] A tram linking Santa Cruz bus station and La Laguna opened in 2007 costing €2.35 return in about 40 minutes. There are also tentative plans for a train linking Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos. By bus[ edit ] Buses are the most common method of public transportation around the islands. Mile per mile they are expensive while compared to mainland Spain but you are not going to travel really far away. We are, after all, islands. Most buses in touristic routes are adequate. Do not expect the drivers to know more than a couple of sentences in English or German, though they would try to be helpful. By taxi[ edit ] Taxis can be expensive, and inside a city they are not worth the money unless you are in a real hurry or cannot balance yourself after a shopping day. By ship[ edit ] If you want to travel between the islands a good option might be to take a ship if you are in any particular hurry, specially between close by islands. Most ferries are now quite modern and cheap. The most important companies are Fred Olsen , Transmediterránea and Armas .

By plane[ edit ] If you are afraid of the sea, or get sick just by staring at a ship, then a plane is what you need, and that usually means a turboprop ATR-72 or ATR-42 by one of the airlines like Binter or Canaryfly. They are perfectly safe and adequately fast as you are likely to spend more time at the airport than in the plane itself. Do[ edit ] Lanzarote: There is a bustling nightlife in four main resorts... Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Gran Canaria: The main resorts on the Island are Las Palmas, Maspalomas,Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles. Tenerife: The main resorts are Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, and Playa de las Americas. Fuerteventura: The main resorts of Fuerteventura are Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Morro Jable. Tenerife Auditorium: The Tenerife Auditorium is an incredible building designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

It is highly recommended to tourists to visit this incredible structure and even to enjoy any of the concerts and events held in it. Loro Parque: The amazing Loro Parque (Parrot Pak) will surely fascinate you no matter your age. A visit to the park can take you nearly a whole day, so reserve some time for it. The park which was originally devoted to parrots shows has now grown into Tenerife's second biggest attraction after mount Teide. The Loro parque is home to the world’s most important Parrot collection with over 300 species, an amazing seal show, Dolphin Show, Parrot Show, Aquarium with Shark tunnel, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Tigers, Jaguars, Flamingos, Alligators, Tortoises, Orchid House, Gambian Market, a 'NaturaVision' Cinema and the worlds largest Penguinarium with a reproduction Antarctic climate within which 12 tons of snow falls a day. Puerto de la Cruz Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top resorts in the Canary Islands. It is also the longest established most complete of all resorts on Tenerife.

The old part of the town keeps beautiful spots, one of the few places where the locals still work, eat and drink. Much of the area around the old fishing port is full of narrow cobbled streets packed with colonial architecture. British tourism arrived here over a century ago and today 'el Puerto' has a wide span of magnificent hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. In addition to its old world charms it offers some of the best visitor attractions in the islands. Tenerife Beaches The volcanic nature of the island of Tenerife meant that the land has few natural beaches. Those that exist are characterised by black sand created from the island's volcanic rocks. The demand for tourist sun-bathing space, however, has led to the creation of resorts and man-made beaches, with golden sand having been imported in some cases. Some of the best beaches of Tenerife are Los Gigantes and San Juan in the west and Fañabe, in the South with its golden sand, showers and excellent facilities. Also popular are Torviscas with its marina, Playa las Americas for its grey sandy stretches and los Cristianos' beach. Candelaria in the east has a small black shingle beach.

Up north Puerto de la Cruz has a beach with fine black sand, and at Santa Cruz golden sand has been imported for its Terasitas beach. Boat Trips from Tenerife A large number of companies offer boat trips for tourists, varying from a 'booze cruise' on a cruiser offering lunch, drinks and watersports to a trip around the island on a sailing boat or catamaran. One of the main attractions is the chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Visitors on most trips spot whales; dolphins are not so much of a certainty but can be seen generally - often very close to the boat. Trips go from either Puerto Colon in Playa de las Americas, or from the port at Los Cristianos and most operators offer a free bus service from the larger hotels in the main resorts. Big Game Fishing around Tenerife The Canary Islands are one of the best spots in the world for big game fishing and a number of companies offer fishing trips in Tenerife. While blue marlin are the most highly prized trophy fish there are plenty of other species including white marlin, wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and mako and hammerhead sharks.

Regular catches of blue marlin range from 331 to 496 pounds (150 to 225kg) with last year's record standing at 794 pounds (360kg). Trips cost around €45 including all equipment, but excluding lunch. Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com The euro (€)" is the currency of the Canaries. Eat[ edit ] Papas Arrugadas with mojo verde Canarian cuisine is a mix between Spanish, Latin and African cultures. Most of Canarian cuisine is a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, generally light meals, more easy to digest in a warm climate. Meat is usually consumed as a part of stews or as steaks. The local fish is quite good. You will find a wide variety of international recipes of fish and seafood, too. Two popular fish dishes from Tenerife are Caldereta, a meal with tomatoes, goat meat and potatoes and the Sancocho Canario, a salted fish, usually white, in a “mojo” sauce. The Tapas concept is one of the most delicious Spanish contributions to international gastronomy.

A Tapa is a light and small piece of food that Spaniards have either before lunch or dinner, usually with a glass of wine or beer. The Tapa can be presented in several ways. It can be made as a pincho (with a stick), as a mini-dish of a traditional recipe, as a canapé, etc... The Canary Islands are Europe's only exporter of plantain bananas. They are famously delicious here. These bananas are usually fried and are also commonly found in the West Indies. Papas Arrugadas or papa sancochada - Potatoes boiled in very salty water until they are "wrinkly" -- hence the name -- and served with mojo picón, a spicy cold red sauce made with chili and garlic. These are often served as a tapa. Gofio - Grain flour used especially at breakfast or to accompany potaje, a local stew. Conejo en salmorejo Canary Islands travel guide - Wikitravel Demographics[ edit ] The islands have a population of 2 million. Since the Canary Islands are a major European tourist destination, all the major islands have well-developed communication systems, airports, and ports.

Ethnically the population is mostly a mix of Spanish, European (German and British), South American, and especially Cuban and Venezuelan as well as Northern and Sub-Sahara African. There are also historical minorities such as Indians, Koreans and lately Russians. Pico del Teide (on Tenerife) at 3718 metres above sea level is the highest point in both the Canary Islands and Spanish territory. Each island speaks with a slightly different accent and there is a strong rivalry between the main islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Most of the accents in the Canary Islands are closer to Latin American Spanish than to Castililan Spanish spoken in continental Spain. For example, the use of the second person plural pronoun "vosotros" is used in most of the mainland but is almost nonexistent in the Canary Islands, and the "th" sound made by "c" and "z" in words like cenar and zapato heard in mainland Spain is pronounced as an "s" sound, just as it is in Latin America. The Canary Islands are very modern, very European, and extremely liberal. History[ edit ] Ancient legend claims the Canary Islands are the ‘lost islands’ of Atlantis.

They have also been referred to as the lands without sorrow, holding on to the edge of the world. The first settlers were from North Africans. Known as Phoenicians, they arrived in the 10th century B.C. The main economic system was built around agriculture and animal farming. During the 14th century, the Islands were continuously invaded by different European countries. By plane[ edit ] The Canaries is a popular destination with Europeans, and swarms of charter and discount flights descend on the island year round. The two airports (North/TFN & South/TFS) on Tenerife and the Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) are the busiest, but it's also possible to fly to many of the other islands, albeit it's often more expensive. There are also regular flights from/to Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Dakar, Laayoune, Banjul, Nuakchot, Cape Verde, Madeira and Azores operated by Binter Canarias [2] . By train[ edit ] A tram linking Santa Cruz bus station and La Laguna opened in in 2007 costing €2.35 return in about 40 minutes.

There are also tentative plans for a train linking Santa Cruz and Los Cristianos. By bus[ edit ] Buses are the most common method of public transportation around the islands. Mile per mile they are expensive while compared to mainland Spain but you are not going to travel really far away. We are, after all, islands. Most buses in touristic routes are adequate. Do not expect the drivers to know more than a couple of sentences in English or German, though they would try to be helpful. By taxi[ edit ] Taxis can be expensive, and inside a city they are not worth the money unless you are in a real hurry or cannot balance yourself after a shopping day. By ship[ edit ] If you want to travel between the islands a good option might be to take a ship if you are in any particular hurry, specially between close by islands. Most ferries are now quite modern and cheap. The most important companies are Fred Olsen, Transmediterránea and Armas. SPAIN YACHTING GROUP S.L. [3] .

Yacht charter and sailing - INTERNATIONAL YACHTING GROUP, one of the worlds largest yacht charter companies, can take care of all charter requirements, from bareboat to crewed in Spain and worldwide. By plane[ edit ] If you are afraid of the sea, or get sick just by staring at a ship, then a plane is what you need, and that usually means a turboprop ATR-72 by one of the airlines like Binter or Islas Airways. They are perfectly safe and adequately fast as you are likely to spend more time at the airport than in the plane itself. Lanzarote: There is a bustling nightlife in four main resorts... Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca. Gran Canaria: The main resorts on the Island are Las Palmas, Maspalomas,Puerto Rico and Playa del Ingles. Tenerife: The main resorts are Santa Cruz, Puerto de la Cruz, and Playa de las Americas. Fuerteventura: The main resorts of Fuerteventura are Corralejo, Caleta de Fuste and Morro Jable.

Tenerife Auditorium: The Tenerife Auditorium is an incredible building designed by the famous Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. It is highly recommended to tourists to visit this incredible structure and even to enjoy any of the concerts and events held in it. Loro Parque: The amazing Loro Parque (Parrot Pak) will surely fascinate you no matter your age. A visit to the park can take you nearly a whole day, so reserve some time for it. The park which was originally devoted to parrots shows has now grown into Tenerife's second biggest attraction after mount Teide. The Loro parque is home to the world’s most important Parrot collection with over 300 species, an amazing seal show, Dolphin Show, Parrot Show, Aquarium with Shark tunnel, Gorillas, Chimpanzees, Tigers, Jaguars, Flamingos, Alligators, Tortoises, Orchid House, Gambian Market, a 'NaturaVision' Cinema and the worlds largest Penguinarium with a reproduction Antarctic climate within which 12 tons of snow falls a day. Puerto de la Cruz Puerto de la Cruz is one of the top resorts in the Canary Islands.

It is also the longest established most complete of all resorts on Tenerife. The old part of the town keeps beautiful spots, one of the few places where the locals still work, eat and drink. Much of the area around the old fishing port is full of narrow cobbled streets packed with colonial architecture. British tourism arrived here over a century ago and today 'el Puerto' has a wide span of magnificent hotels to suit all tastes and budgets. In addition to its old world charms it offers some of the best visitor attractions in the islands. Tenerife Beaches The volcanic nature of the island of Tenerife meant that the land has few natural beaches. Those that exist are characterised by black sand created from the island's volcanic rocks. The demand for tourist sun-bathing space, however, has led to the creation of resorts and man-made beaches, with golden sand having been imported in some cases. Some of the best beaches of Tenerife are Los Gigantes and San Juan in the west and Fañabe, in the South with its golden sand, showers and excellent facilities. Also popular are Torviscas with its marina, Playa las Americas for its grey sandy stretches and los Cristianos' beach.

Candelaria in the east has a small black shingle beach. Up north Puerto de la Cruz has a beach with fine black sand, and at Santa Cruz golden sand has been imported for its Terasitas beach. Boat Trips from Tenerife A large number of companies offer boat trips for tourists, varying from a 'booze cruise' on a cruiser offering lunch, drinks and water sports to a trip around the island on a sailing boat or catamaran. One of the main attractions is the chance to see whales and dolphins in the wild. Visitors on most trips spot whales; dolphins are not so much of a certainty but can be seen generally - often very close to the boat. Trips go from either Puerto Colon in Playa de las Americas, or from the port at Los Cristianos and most operators offer a free bus service from the larger hotels in the main resorts. Big Game Fishing around Tenerife The Canary Islands are one of the best spots in the world for big game fishing and a number of companies offer fishing trips in Tenerife.

While blue marlin are the most highly prized trophy fish there are plenty of other species including white marlin, wahoo, dorado, yellowfin tuna, and mako and hammerhead sharks. Regular catches of blue marlin range from 331 to 496 pounds (150 to 225kg) with last year's record standing at 794 pounds (360kg). Trips cost around €45 including all equipment, but excluding lunch. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Canarian cuisine is a mix between Spanish, Latin and African cultures. Most of Canarian cuisine is a variety of fresh vegetables, fruit and fish, generally light meals, more easy to digest in a warm climate. Meat is usually consumed as a part of stews or as steaks. The local fish is quite good. You will find a wide variety of international recipes of fish and seafood, too. Two popular fish dishes from Tenerife are Caldereta, a meal with tomatoes, goat meat and potatoes and the Sancocho Canario, a salted fish, usually white, in a “mojo” sauce. The Tapas concept is one of the most delicious Spanish contributions to international gastronomy.

A Tapa is a light and small piece of food that Spaniards have either before lunch or dinner, usually with a glass of wine or beer. The Tapa can be presented in several ways. It can be made as a pincho (with a stick), as a mini-dish of a traditional recipe, as a canapé, etc... The Canary Islands are Europe's only exporter of plantain bananas. They are famously delicious here. These bananas are usually fried and are also commonly found in the West Indies. Papas Arrugadas or papa sancochada - Potatoes boiled in very salty water until they are "wrinkly" -- hence the name -- and served with mojo picón, a spicy cold red sauce made with chili and garlic. These are often served as a tapa. Gofio - Grain flour used especially at breakfast or to accompany potaje, a local stew. Escaldón de gofio - Gofio mixed with broth. Conejo en salmorejo Miel de Palma - Palm honey. Arepas - tortas made from fine corn flour filled with minced meat, cheese, or sweet mango.

Mousse de gofio or gofío amasado - a desert made from gofio, miel de palma, and plantains. Travel to Canary Islands now - Panoramic Photography and Map - 360Cities Canary Islands Overview and History The Canary Islands lie off the west coast of Africa and exist as an autonomous community belonging to Spain. There are seven major islands in the archipelago and one minor island, then several small pointy bits which grumble about their diminutive status. The big ones are Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Palma, Lanzarote, El Hierro, and La Gomera. The whole group is the result of volcanic activity from 60 million years ago, which is why the beaches have black sand for you to crunch along on. There are no active volcanos at the moment, but one never knows. Another way to say it is that these islands are part of the Atlas Mountain range which can be traced across northern Africa. At one point in the 16th century the islands were called "the sugar islands" for their production of cane sugar. The economy has since developed wineries, agriculture and now tourism as principal activity.

Getting There The Canary Islands have six airports in total. Here's a quick reference for the airports . The main international airport is Gran Canaria Airport, the gateway to the islands. It's 18km south of Las Palmas and has EU, International and Inter-Island terminals. Transportation Highway maintenance to the Canary Islands is sorely lacking, ha ha. Ferry service connects the islands to each other, but you can also take a small plane to hop between them. On the islands you can rent a car but be sure to carry your passport and license with you all the time. People ride bikes and take the guagua bus to get around. (It's pronounced "wa-wa".) Bus schedules can be infrequent or sporadic. Tenerife and Gran Canaria have impressive public transport systems that cover most of their islands. People and Culture The Canary currency is the Euro; the islands are one of the farthest outlaying regions of the Euro zone. The culture is undoubtedly Spanish, but the mainland custom of kissing on both cheeks when you say hello can be abbreviated to only one kiss. You need quick reflexes to get it right.

There's an accent that's a little bit different from mainland, and not quite the same as South American spanish either. The saying is that islanders talk "with potatos in their mouth" because of their lazy-sounding pronunciation. Things to do, Recommendations Here's a basic look at the main islands. The way we see it, if you need directions for how to have fun on a tropical island full of fruit and fish, you're beyond our help. The largest island is Tenerife with about two thousand square kilometers and a wide variety of plant life and terrain. It is home to the highest point "in Spain", the volcano El Teide at 3718 meters. Tenerife has excellent weather all year round, with a wide variety of terrain and vegetation including crops such as bananas, tomatos and potatos. La Palma does not have very many beaches, and they are not very long. Two popular ones are in Puerto Naos on the west side, and Los Cancajos on the east. Most of the island is a biological reserve. It's known as "the green island"; come here for the mountains, sweet bananas and vineyards.

On Gran Canaria you can choose from endless sandy beaches, dunes, mountains and also lush green scenery. This island is home to more than half the population of the Canary Islands. Fuertaventura has the oldest history. Homer mentioned it in his brief travel guide called "The Odyssey." Its name may come from the expression "What a great adventure!", or possibly, "strong wind." It's only separated from continental Africa by a narrow channel. Fuertaventura has the longest of all the beaches, and wonderful fine sand. Lanzarote is a Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO declaration, and comprises one of the six universal models of sustainable development according to the World Tourism Organization. Lanzarote is the farthest East of the major islands and has a year-round average temperature of 22 degrees C. La Gomera sports a National Park with dense forestation, crossed by deep ravines and surrounded by a perimeter of cliffs along most of the coast. Islanders have a special whistling language to communicate across the gorges in the forest. Text by Steve Smith.

Population on Gran Canaria & Info about Gran Canaria & Canary Island The Gran Canaria Population The people of Gran Canaria are known for their hospitality to visitors and their peaceful and kind natures. Being so by reason of the continuous passage of peoples and cultures that has occurred as a result of the island's strategic position between three continents. The island's famed spring weather throughout the year and its natural resources provide the inhabitants of Gran Canaria with a very high quality of life. Almost 96 per cent of the inhabitants of the Canary Islands are Roman Catholics, who are very tradition-conscious, which can be witnessed on big religious feast days and particularly during the 'Semana Santa' (Holy Week before Easter), when extensive celebrations take place all over the islands. Gran Canaria is the most populated island of the Canarian Archipelago, ( 802.247 inhabitants in the year 2005 ), and is located near the West African Coast. Its population is Caucasian, from Spanish, Portuguese and French origins.

The population of Gran Canaria is young in comparison with that of the rest of the country and Europe, given the fact that the largest part of the population is between the ages of 15 and 45 years, the growth rate of the population being 3.71%, compared with the national average of 0.27%. Maybe because of its youth, it is also the most cosmopolitan of the islands (especially the capital, being home to almost half of the population), which is what lends so many special traits to the island, finding expression in its open nature and cultural diversity. A facet of the inhabitants that always intrigues the visitor is their manner of speech, which, despite the fact that it falls within the confines of perfectly understandable Spanish, has also been influenced by the linguistic diversity that was brought to the islands by the continuous passage of foreign visitors through the course of time.

For many people, the speech of the people of Gran Canaria is reminiscent of the Latin American dialects, in the sense that both have a sweetness of intonation, while it is also replete with curious practices, such as the use of the affectionate diminutive (Antoï¿½ito instead of Antonio) and the substitution of the "c" and "z" by the "s". In any event, the people of Gran Canaria are very accustomed to foreign languages and one can easily find local inhabitants who have taught themselves to speak and understand many foreign languages. The island has a population of 802.247 with 378.628 (year 2005) of those in the capital city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is also the capital of the province of Las Palmas, ( Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote ) and also one of the two capitals of the autonomous community of the Canary Islands, along Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Although smaller than Tenerife and Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria houses more than half of the entire population of the archipelago, mostly in Las Palmas.

Itï¿½s now Spainï¿½s seventh-largest city. The Gran Canaria of today boasts, with an average of 465 people per square kilometre, the highest housing density not only of the archipelago but also of all European regions. Almost half of its population concentrates in the city of Las Palmas, a great ethnic mix lending it a very cosmopolitan image. As a result of having been a bridge between Europe and the continents of America and Africa for so long, many members of other nations ï¿½ in particular merchant families and seafaring people ï¿½ have settled on the Canary Islands from early on. Their descendants are fully integrated in the islandï¿½s society, where nobody would deny them their status of a genuine 'Canario'. Luxury Tenerife holidays in springtime weather | Abama Resort Zurich 4h 25 The Canary Islands The Canary Islands, lying just north of the Tropic of Cancer and a few hundred kilometres from the African coast, have long been a favourite destination of the European traveller.

With over 3,000 hours of sun per year, and an average temperature of 21ºC (71.6ºF), the 7-island archipelago’s 12 months of springtime weather provide a welcome retreat from the northern climes. The islands, which comprise Spain’s southernmost autonomous region, are a wonder of natural, geographic and demographic diversity, with 250km of beaches and four protected national parks. Volcanic in origin, the islands support a rich variety of endemic flora and fauna. Tenerife Tenerife, the middle island in the archipelago, is the largest of the seven in terms of both area and population. Like the rest of the islands, Tenerife weather boasts a great number of distinct microclimates, and these contribute to its extreme biodiversity and unique geography. Among the islands, in fact, Tenerife boasts the largest number of protected areas (43), as well as a National Park and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the latter is El Teide, the third-largest volcano in the world as measured from its base. The volcano is the site of the professional Teide Observatory, whose unique location and elevation make it ideal for astronomical observation.

Tenerife’s cultural diversity is as broad as its natural diversity, with tremendously varied gastronomy, traditions and activities for couples, families and solo travellers. Take a sunset boat cruise, enjoy wine tasting at some of the local vineyards, or come for the internationally renowned Carnival de Santa Cruz or one of the many popular religious festivals. There are dozens of planned tourism routes to choose from, or you can explore the island on your own. And with the other six islands just a ferry ride away, the options are nearly endless for your Tenerife holidays. Abama Resort Abama itself is a peaceful oasis in the arid volcanic landscape, a luxurious retreat from typical Tenerife tourism for those seeking a bit of tranquillity. Nonetheless, all the island’s points of interest are within easy reach of the resort. Besides the capital, Santa Cruz, the varied gastronomy and sport offer of the region, and traditional local artisanal and farmers’ markets, you can explore the neighbouring Playa San Juan, an unspoilt traditional fishing village with authentic Canary Island charm. Sample fresh fish dishes or take a stroll along the promenade; they’re only 5 minutes away from Abama by car. Arriving at the resort from overseas is simple.

Upon landing, a 30-minute drive from Tenerife South/Reina Sofia Airport (TFS) or a 1h15 drive from Tenerife North/Los Rodeos Airport (TFN) will bring you to your door. For those guests arriving by helicopter, there is a private heliport on Abama’s grounds. For more information about transport from airports to the resort or from the resort to other locations on the island, please contact The Ritz-Carlton, Abama . Abama newsletter Gran Canaria travel guide - Wikitravel Understand[ edit ] The capital Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , in the northeast of the island, is one of Spain's largest cities. The south coast of the island is now dominated by the tourist resorts which generate most of the island's economy. The centre of the island is mountainous, with the remains of ancient pine forests on the peaks. Maspalomas in the south of Gran Canaria is the tourist zone, with the largest variety of options for enjoying the island. If you ever need Tourist Information or Specific help, the TI Center is in Yumbo Center. Talk[ edit ] The official language of Gran Canaria is Spanish .

However, one hears many people speaking English and German in the tourist areas. The local inhabitants speak Canario, a Spanish dialect characterized by a slightly more singing tone than the mainland, less clear pronunciation and incorporation of different verb tenses. Even for foreigners with a basic knowledge of Spanish, the varieties spoken on the islands can take some time getting used to. On Tenerife however, the pronunciation seems to be more neutral, and leans a bit more toward normalized Spanish. In a way is very similar to Chilean Spanish.

Technically speaking, Canarian is known by loss of ending 's' in most plural unstressed words into a "h" or "sh" sound (relojej instead of relojes), diphthonging words and verbs (callao for callado, pesao for pesado), emphasis of the H sound when normally mute (hediondo pronounced jediondo and not ediondo), different verb tense (ayer juguemos un partido instead of ayer jugamos un partido), use of Haiga instead of haya (as the verb "to have") and use of simple past tense instead of past participle tense, resulting in the occlusion and almost non-existence of the latter Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) Flights are as follows: Aer Lingus: Cork, Dublin Get around[ edit ] The public transportation system is well organized and economical. There are regular buses that go all over the island, most of the ones useful for tourists run through Avda. Tirajana in Playa del Inglés and head north to the Atlantico shopping centre or Las Palmas or along the coast towards Puerto Rico. To travel Maspalomas-Las Palmas the fastest bus is 30.

Rental cars are available in all resorts, both from local companies like Top Car AutoReisen ( ) and large international car rental companies. Most of the large ones such as Avis and Hertz have offices in Playa del Inglés near the motorway. Goldcar at the airport seems to offer interesting prices on the website, but in reality you are forced to buy a tank full of gasoline and return the car empty (which is impossible), they force you also to take an additional insurance coverage. This makes the price almost double from what is advertised - so be aware of this. There are no trains in Gran Canaria. There is an autopista (motorway/highway) that covers much of the island. To go to the other islands are not far, and the island most near is Tenerife which is only 2½ hour away with ferry. Climate[ edit ] The climate is subtropical semi-arid for most locations, but it may vary a lot depending on where you are going. For the main touristic resorts the weather is mostly comfortable. In Maspalomas there is normally 28-33 degrees in July at daytime, which drops to 21-24 by night.

In winter, day temperature is normally 23 and by night 16-17. Bad weather can occur, especially between mid-October and March. Temperatures can then drop to 11-12 degrees and be quite windy. Arguineguín has the best climate, with the least wind, and is, due to its protected location, among the driest in winter too. Las Palmas has a bit of a different climate, and is sometimes clouded and rain might occur, even in May or June, but it is not very common. If you travel in winter take at least a thick jacket or two. If you plan to travel to the mountains bring or buy a scarf and gloves. The freezing point can be reached on Pozo de Las Nieves. In summertime, always bring a bottle of water during the day. If winds from Sahara occur and temperatures rise above 40, try to stay in the shadows, close to climatized air and always drink plenty of water. See[ edit ][ add listing ] The sand dunes in Maspalomas (ask for "Las Dunas de Maspalomas"). San Bartolomé de Tirajana.

Palmitos Park, Barranco de Los Palmitos s/n. 35109 Maspalomas Gran Canaria, ☎ (00) 34 928 797 070, [2] . Various animals (esp. exotic birds) and exotic plantations. Also dolphins. Has shows with parrots, dolphins and birds of prey (eagles, hawks, etc). A great place to go with children 2+ yrs and upwards. You could spend 3-4 hours there. edit Teror. Nuestra Señora del Pino edit Valsequillo. This area is very green with imposing rock formations and steep ravines, It has pine forests, palm groves and almond trees (which are in bloom in January and February) and all kinds of vegetation within its 39.15 km2. The historic center and surrounding neighbourhoods offer valuable traces of history like the Church of Saint Michael Archangel, the former Cavalry barracks, and Flemish carvings. The varied gastronomic offer includes traditional cheeses, wine, honey and almonds, all of which make up one of the major attractions of Valsequillo.

edit Do[ edit ][ add listing ] Biking. The island is a paradise for bikers, with lots of trails for mountain biking, from easy to very difficult and long ones. There are also many possibilities of road biking, both in the mountain region and along the coast. There are bike renting centers in the island. edit Surf Canaries Surf School (Surf School Gran Canaria), ☎ 0034 677704981, [3] . Gran Canaria is a perfect place to learn to surf. A surf class will set you off safely with the right technique. Use a reputable surf school such as Surf Canaries, a mobile Surf School in the south of the island who take parties to the right beaches for learning and give in depth and fun classes with qualified instructors. It's a great day out if you always fancied having a go! edit Hiking[ edit ] Gran Canaria is a paradise for hill walking with its inhabited cave villages, lake side walks, spectacular mountain scenery and wonderful flora & fauna especially in the Spring. There are a great variety of hikes on outstanding trails, many of these are off-the-beaten-track and the climate is excellent for trekking.

Beaches[ edit ] The south of Gran Canaria is famous for the variety of beaches. The longest beach is "Playa del Inglés" and "Maspalomas", the almost 4 km stretch of beach between Playa del Inglés and Meloneras is a serviced nudist beach. In the Mogán area there are other famous beaches, such as "Amadores", "Anfi del Mar", "Puerto Rico", and "Playa de Mogán". THE definitive Guide for hikers and explorers by Rambling Roger, resident in Gran Canaria: Surfing[ edit ] Described as the "Hawaii of the Atlantic", the surf on Gran Canaria can be incredible. On the right day the surfers will put on a free and spectacular display, often in the north of the island but also in the south on the right conditions - Maspalomas, Playa del Inglés and Arguineguin. It is also a great place to learn to surf with fantastic beaches and a couple of really good surf schools. Golf[ edit ] The island is home to Spain's oldest golf club plus eight newer courses, mostly located in the south of the island.

Scuba diving[ edit ] Gran Canaria is one of the best places in Europe to come Scuba Diving, as it is one of the most Southerly spots, and has some of the warmest waters. While not 'tropical' in climate, the waters have plenty of brightly coloured species such as Parrotfish, wrasse and Damselfish. There are also some big species to thrill .. angel sharks (an endangered species), several types of ray including butterfly rays and mobula rays, and the odd turtle can liven up your diving. Being circular, there are great dive spots all around the Island, of which the main ones are Sardina del Norte in the North (famous for the Manta Rays in autumn), Las Palmas (famous for the biggest wreck dives in the Canaries), Arinaga on the East Coast (famous for the diving area around 'El Cabron' which teems with marine life, and the South of the Island, especially around Mogan.

There some very experienced instructors on the island who will be delighted to share their knowledge of diving in their local areas, including Gorka at Buceo Canarias who organizes excursions to the wrecks of Las Palmas; Brian at Davy Jones Diving who can tell you all about the marine life to be found in Arinaga; and Gerry at Canary Diving Adventures who knows all about the best dives on the West Coast from Mogan. All three have been diving Gran Canaria for over ten years. There is also a full guide to the marine life and dive sites at Gran Canaria Diving.com [4] The south part of the island has many great diving locations and many dive centers. Most arrange daily trips Monday to Saturday with hotel pickup and reasonable equipment rental prices. Most travel guide books suggest one or two dive centers. Near Maspalomas, Let's go diving [5] arranges boat tours to natural and artificial reefs with a variety of fish and other species. A wreck dive is also possible within 20m depth. You may find flashier rental equipment but you will hardly find better personnel. Eat[ edit ][ add listing ] Besides many good restaurants of different nationalities, the Canarian Cuisine is especially worth trying.

Most restaurants serve local wines as well as Rioja. La Casa Vieja: [6] (North area of Maspalomas) serve Canarian meals like Gofio, fish, squid rings, octopus with vinegar, Papas arrugadas con mojo (salted potatoes with a spicy mix), and grilled meat. In Las Palmas there are many excellent fish restaurants, specially along the coast near Las Canteras beach and El Confital in the neighborhood of La Isleta. An exquisite dish is Chancletes al limón, but many other local fresh fish are excellent too. Restaurant Ciao Ciao near the beach in Las Meloneras serves an Italian cuisine with good pizzas, meat and fish dishes. Restaurante Olivia in Puerto de Mogán serves well prepared local dishes near the yacht harbour in Puerto de Mogán. As an aside, when staying in the area of Playa del Inglés, expect to be regularly solicited by "waiters" who want you to eat at the restaurant they are working for. It can't be avoided but becomes slightly less annoying over time. The Yumbo Centrum dominates the centre of Playa del Inglés .

It has dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs, many catering to the gay community, particularly on the higher floors. Some of the cheaper bars are located on the Western side of the ground floor. Busy gay bars are Construction on the ground floor and Terry's Show and Amigos on the first floor. The top floor has dance bars such as Mykonos and Mantrix that are a mix of bar and clubs, and tend to be more expensive. Heaven used to have a club here on the third floor, but it has now closed. Cafe Florin [7] . A selection of real English teas can be found at Café Florín, also known as the Internet Cafe, located one minute from the Yumbo, down the hill towards the Playa del Inglés beach. Stay safe[ edit ] There is relatively little crime in the resorts, the main annoyance is drunks causing trouble. As anywhere, one should not leave valuables unattended on the beach. In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, applying common sense for large cities is advisable. Some of the streets can be badly lit and the area around the harbour can be a bit threatening. In the south, young guys may attack aged people trying to tear off a bag.

It may happen even in the daytime on the central streets of Playa del Inglés. On the beach, African women vendors may try to put a bracelet on your wrist and then charge an exorbitant fee for it. They will almost always approach you with a badly spoken "whea' you from my friend". Pay no attention and walk away as quickly as possible or you will be plagued. Some of these women can be aggressive however, so always be on your guard. Scream "Molestado!" if you have to and if you are forced into having to pay for bracelets, make sure you have a few small bills or change and convince them it's all you have. Gay travelers be warned about being approached by very dark skinned Moroccan men. You can tell they are not Spanish from their different hair texture. They can approach you for sex tourism, and will tell you a cheaper price and then ask for more and more, so make sure you agree on one before. Or they can be very aggressive and not leave your place. one way of deterring them is telling them you are being treated for an STD, although you may be heavily insulted for this.

It may also be recommended to do anything you want to do, in the many bars or clubs with darkrooms and places. If you've been to Tenerife, you may be familiar with the so-called Lookey Lookey Men. Since they are not as common in Gran Canaria, they are usually not seen as problem, but can be annoying as they try to sell cheap items which are usually bootlegs.

Question: In terms of both population and area, which is the largest of the Canary Islands?
Answer: Tenerife